Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 10
ऋश्यशृङ्गानयनकथा — The Account of Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga
and the Remedy for Drought
भवन्तश्श्रुतधर्माणो लोकचारित्रवेदिन: ।समादिशन्तु नियमं प्रायश्चित्तं यथा भवेत् ।।।।
bhavantaḥ śrutadharmāṇo lokacāritravidinaḥ | samādiśantu niyamaṃ prāyaścittaṃ yathā bhavet ||
“ನೀವು ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೋಕ್ತ ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ತಿಳಿದವರು, ಲೋಕಾಚಾರವನ್ನು ಅರಿತವರು. ಪ್ರಾಯಶ್ಚಿತ್ತ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಯಾಗುವಂತೆ ಯಾವ ನಿಯಮ ಪಾಲಿಸಬೇಕು—ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ನನಗೆ ಆದೇಶಿಸಿರಿ।”
"All of you are conversant with righteous duties and well-versed in the study of human nature. Instruct me about the means of expiation through religious observance."
FAQs
Dharma includes accountability and correction: the king seeks prāyaścitta through disciplined observance, showing that rulers must address obstacles through righteous means.
Daśaratha appeals to those expert in scripture and human affairs to prescribe a religious discipline that will remove impediments and enable success.
Respect for learned authority and self-regulation: he asks to be instructed rather than acting impulsively.